KLKN-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.comPublic Hearing Focuses on Alzheimer's Care
Member Center:
Some state senators are emphasizing the importance of taking care of the elderly.
The legislative committee heard public testimony on some proposed bills on Thursday, including one on the care of Alzheimer's patients.
The measure would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish criteria to evaluate the adequacy of Alzheimer's special care.
Senator Howard says as the population of Nebraska ages at a quickly increasing rate, this is especially important.
But one opponent says this bill is simply redundant. Brendon Polt is with the Nebraska Healthcare Association. He says, "there is already the ability for the state to ensure that the proper services are provided to residents. The way it is now is you tailor the care to the needs of the resident as opposed to a one-size-fits-all increase cost, increase regulation approach, that this bill, we're afraid, would do.
This bill is considered on both sides to piggy-back off of a bill previously discussed at a public hearing that requires no less than four hours of dementia specific training.
